Pictures and Videos

All of the pictures and videos were taken with my Blackberry as I left my camera at home :o(

From what I could see Ontario had the largest number of athletes at the games.

And Nunavut only had 11 come in during the athlete's march, however it was great to see all provinces and territories represented.

This is the lighting of the Canada Games flame.

These are the final torch bearers. Representation of the original cultures in Nova Scotia.

The four torch bearers.

The Canada Games flag being raised during opening ceremonies.

A look at all of the red lights everyone had. I believe that is during the Trews performance.

This is a video I took of Chantel Kreviazuk singing the Canada Games Song. It is only a 30 second snip, that I actually got recorded.

This is a video of some of the entertainment during the opening ceremonies. Some of it was very Cirque du soleil in style. Overall it was a very entertaining show. Great way to start off the week.

Home safe and sound

Well the flight did turn out to be a fairly uneventful one. A little bit of rocking and rolling during the final approach in the wind in Toronto, but all in all a good flight.

I hate the fact that I can't sleep on planes, as I was trying to function on 1 3/4 hours sleep which is never fun, and knowing that getting home to 5 kids means no sleep during the day either. But it is certainly worth it to be able to see them again. The week long trips are always hard on the kids, the older kids understand somewhat, they just don't like me being gone. Belle has a very hard time with it, as she is soft hearted at the best of times, and when one of her parents is gone, everything becomes more difficult to deal with. Sabrina has some understanding but more of how many days until I get back. Zachary really doesn't understand at all, which makes it very hard for him.

The decisions are hard ones to go away on them. It isn't getting any easier. Sharron is very understanding, and knows that it is important to me to be able to participate at this elite level, however it is still tough, knowing I am leaving her with 5 kids at home. Each time I do it, it is a heavily weighted decision, and looks like it will continue to be. Hopefully as we bring more and more technology into the mix, it may make things easier, but we will have to see.

I will post some pictures and video's that I took during the opening ceremonies in the next posting, otherwise I guess that is all for this trip.

Thanks again to all who made this possible, and to the great team of officials we had representing Ringette at this year's Canada Winter Games.

The final day

Well at our meeting we got our games for the final day. I was asked to skate the 7 vs 8 game and be standby for the gold medal game. Janyce and Brent were asked to skate the gold medal game and Benoit and Lorie are skating the bronze game.

After the meeting we went out for dinner for a great Italian place that was close to the hotel called Il Mercardo (sp) very reasonably priced, and great food. We then went downtown to listen to a band.

I wasn't sure what to expect for the 7 vs 8 medal game, but it actually turned out to be quite good. Both teams came out to play and with 7 minutes to go in the game it was tied 3 - 3. New Brunswick scored to go ahead 4 - 3, New Brunswick then scored two goals in the last minute and a half to win 6 - 3. Overall it was a very good game, and both BC and NB came out to play.

After this game I took a quick look on my blog via my blackberry and saw a comment from a Nova Scotia parent who commented about her 6 year old daughter was following my blog, as she had an interest in refereeing. After a fair bit of effort we were actually able to find them before the Nova Scotia vs Manitoba game. The officials decided that if we could find them we would ask them to sit with us during the game. After locating them, the supervisors took them down to the refs room before the game, and let them take some pictures with Karen and Danielle (including some with the refs shirts on the girls). And they sat with us for the whole game. So that was fun. Referees don't have many fans, so it is nice to know there is another generation of potential refs out there. Manitoba ended up winning fairly handily which was the only disappointing part for the girls (as they play out of Bedford NS).

Next up was the Bronze game it was a good game, that Quebec ended up winning 6 - 5.

The gold medal game was Ontario vs Alberta. I always find it hard to standby for big games, as if you end up going in, you are somewhat rushed, and can't go through the regular pre-game duties. So you end up on edge most of the game, while still trying to stay fully involved in the game, so that if you do go in, it can be as seamless as possible.

It was very fast and although Ontario came out quickly Alberta ended up catching up and the game went into overtime on a late goal by Alberta with less than a minute to play. Given it was 7 - 7 going into overtime, we all thought it was going to be a very quick overtime, but the teams couldn't pop the winning goal. The Alberta goalie made a few nice saves, but about 13 minutes into overtime, Ontario slid one past her for the win and the gold medal.

The rink had pretty good attendance for most of the day, which is great, as it was really a demonstration of some of the best ringette Canada has to offer.

We are leaving for the airport by 5:30 Saturday morning, so the wakeup call at 5:00 came quite early. Not a lot of sleep on the last night, but it does mean that if all goes well I will be back to see my wife and kids by about 11:00 Saturday morning.

We are just now at the airport, waiting to board, hopefully the flight is a smooth one, as after 8 days it will be nice to see the family again.

Wednesday and Thursday games done

So Wednesday was the start of the Quarter finals, and Danielle and I were skating the Nova Scotia vs Quebec game. I got to the rink early to watch the 11:30 game, between Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It was very back and forth and Manitoba went up 2 - 1 at the half. The 2nd half the Saskatchewan goalie stood on her head, and two goals for Saskatchewan ended up winning 3 - 2. Although some would consider this an upset, most of the teams are so close, anyone can end up winning on any given day. My game was up next. It was a great environment with well over 500 people there for the game. Quebec came out flying and went out to a 6 - 0 lead and although Nova Scotia scored to make it 6 - 1 before the end of the first it was seeming like a one sided game. The crowd was still into it, which made for a very good environment. After the flood at the end of the 1st we went back out, and Nova Scotia wasn't ready to pack it in, they scored twice in the first 10 minutes to make it 6 - 3. The Quebec came back to score twice more to end the game at 8 - 3. Overall it was a good game. I realized the importance of keeping focus for the entire game, as I lost focus for a couple of seconds and had a procedural error, which didn't really effect the game, but can't let it happen. Wasn't happy with myself for doing it, but had to make sure that I use it as a learning experience and don't let it get to me for the rest of the week. It seems like a simple little thing to most people (blowing the play in immediately for a goalie ring rather than declaring a longer stoppage due to the net being off and going with a defensive free pass) but when reffing at this level it is something that shouldn't happen. But as I said it is a learning experience and can't dwell on it, as I can't let it affect the rest of the week.

After the long day at the rink, we ordered some pizza and then had our meeting at 10:00 pm. Thursday there are 4 games, the first two being the relegation semis, where the teams that lost the quarter finals play. The last two were the Semi-Final for the winners of the Quarterfinals. I was assigned to the 2:00 game, which was one of the semi-finals, and it was going to be Quebec vs. Alberta.

After a late breakfast (as I wasn't going to want to eat lunch just before the game) we headed out to the rink. Brent decided it would be funny when the supervisors game into the room just before the game to have he and I in a heated argument over a rule interpretation. This is a concern for the supervisors as we as officials need to be a team, and working well together, to have us arguing just before the game, would be a real concern. So we pulled it off and got the appropriate reaction from the supervisors, and it helped to keep the mood light before the game.

We went out for the game, and it was just flying. Alberta was up 3 - 0 at the half, but the first period just flew by. Unlike the game earlier in the week, in which we were doing lightning drills, although this was faster, we were able to anticipate the play, and therefore, skate with it, without expending as much energy. Something I much prefer. We were again worried at the end of the first that it was going to be a one sided game, if Quebec didn't make some changes. Fairly early in the 2nd period I was skating backwards up the ice, and got smoked by a player after she came out of the penalty box and I was skating backwards. Apparently it must have looked worse than I thought it felt, as there were several people after the game who were asking if I was okay. I felt I jumped right back up, but it still looked pretty bad. We continued on with the game, and Quebec certainly did come out to play in the 2nd half. The scored the next 3 goals to tie the game up. Then with about 3 minutes left in the game, Alberta scored to go up 4 - 3, and were able to hold off the pressure by Quebec at the end for the win.

I once again was feeling pretty good out there (despite the fall) and hope to continue to perform well for the last day. We will have our meeting around 7:30 tonight and then out for dinner, and may catch the free concert tonight downtown (they have been running them all week). Tomorrow there are another 4 games, the 7th vs 8th game, followed by 5th vs 6th, and then the bronze medal game and then the gold. My goal coming into the week was to enjoy myself and perform well, and hopefully get the bronze medal game. In an ideal world I would love the gold game, but not sure whether that was in my reach or not.

However even as I type this, given the quality of all the officials here, I need to be okay with whatever game I end up with, and know that I did what I could (with one minor gaff) and had an overall good week, and will go home quite happy with the overall experience.

I will try to post again one more time tomorrow, after the games.

Half way point

Tuesday marks the half way point of the week, and for the most part we are doing pretty well. We had another official fall very sick Monday night and had to pull out of his game for Tuesday. I am really hoping it isn't contagious as he is my roommate ;o(. I called home and when my wife heard my roommate was sick, she initially told me to stay away from him, but then decided it would be better for me to get it here so I don't bring it home and have it run through our 5 kids. My personal preference would be to not get sick at all, and think that is what I have decided on.

I was back at the rink on Tuesday for the early game again, this time I was standby, not sure if I have mentioned it in previous posts (and am too lazy to go back and look) but we have an standby official for each game incase someone gets sick or hurt, I didn't have to go out for that game, but it was my turn to be up for the 11:30 game between PEI and New Brunswick. Early in the game Karen and I commented on the stops and starts and how tiring it can be. We would rather skate up and down the ice all day long, over doing the "lightning drills" of stops and starts, as it is far more tiring. We started to get a little more flow as the game went on, however there were a lot of penalties in this game. I believe it was 22 minutes for one side and 12 for the other. Which is a large number for this level. The final score was 6 - 0 for New Brunswick. Again, I felt pretty good during the game. I find it important to keep reminding myself not to overthink what needs to be done while we are here. Yes the games are important and we play a role in the games, but I have officiated thousands of games in the last 19 years, so have to remember to just keep doing what I know I can do.

I stayed around to watch the Nova Scotia vs Alberta game which had another very large crowd. It is really great to see the support of the local community. People started showing up an hour before game time in order to get in. It was only 3 - 2 Alberta after the 1st period, but it looked like playing two games in a day started to catch up with Nova Scotia in the 2nd period and they ended up falling 8 - 2 much to the disappointment of the crowd.

We then went back to the hotel, we actually went rode back with one of the members of of the Canada Games Council from Whitehorse, and had a good discussion with him.

We had our Tuesday night meeting, and got our assigments for Wednesday. The day was going to start off with the 4 vs 5 game and then we were going to get into the quarterfinals. I have the Quebec vs. Nova Scotia game. It should be a good game, and will surely be loud at the rink. I am exicited about the opportunity. I will also be standing by for the last game of the day (we have a 7:00 pm game on Wednesday). It will be between Alberta and the winner of the 4 vs 5 game first thing in the morning.

After the meeting we went out for a team dinner, this was our splurge night, as we had decided to head to the Keg for a nice meal.

This morning, I am just getting ready to go, will go grab some breakfast and then off to the rink, as I will get there for the 11:30 games as well (I am not on the ice until 2:00 today). This will let me see all of the quarterfinals. It will be a late night tonight with the extra game on the schedule, so likely won't get to post again until tomorrow.

Another early game

Well at the meeting last night we went through some of the concerns that the supervisors had, really they are very minor in the grande scheme of things, but like the players, we are striving to be at the top of our game, so even little things need to be addressed. So after going through those, we go our schedule for Monday. I have the "early" game again, this time it is between Quebec and BC. Quebec scored early in the game and then again late in the 1st to go into the half up 2 - 0. The game was moving however, but I was feeling pretty good again. As of now I am in a pretty good mind set, as I seem to have found a balance between the pressure, and still enjoying the experience. The 2nd period was a little more aggressive, and Quebec scored early in the 2nd, but BC answered right back. To make it 3 - 1. Quebec scored twice more before the 5 minute mark of the 2nd, and were up 5 - 1. We then went into a long stretch with no scoring, until BC scored late in the game. And the final was 5 - 2. I lost my footing at one point and fell, I didn't think too much of it at the time, other than trying to find what I slipped on, but now after being off the ice for a bit, I think I may have tweaked my back, which given the condition of my back, it is never a good thing, but hopefully some stretching and rest will get it back to as good as it gets. Otherwise, it will be a matter of working through pain (something I have done a lot in the past) not ideal, but certainly better than the alternatives.

I stayed behind to watch the Nova Scotia vs PEI game, which was on at 11:30. It was a great environment, as there were a few hundred people there. Most of whom where there 30 minutes before the game started, as on Saturday morning, they had to turn 100 people away from the NB vs. NS game as they had reached the capacity according to the fire marshall. Even one of the refs who went out to stretch in the officials warm up area, almost didn't get back in, as they said unless she was previously counted she wasn't allowed back in. Even when she said, the large audience wouldn't have much to see if she couldn't get back in, it still took some work.

Both teams seemed to play quite well, and it was 3 - 1 for Nova Scotia at the half. The game ended 8 - 3 for Nova Scotia, but is always enjoyable to watch games in rinks that are full. It just adds to the excitement.

After seeing a number of games, I have been quite impressed at how evenly matched the teams are this week. I have also been impressed with our officiating crew. These are the best of the best in the country, and it is always nice to be able to skate with them. Everyone is working to ensure that we are at the very top of our game, and we are all pushing each other to be at our best. With many type A personalities (as one of the supervisors put it) there are times that we push ourselves too hard, and it can actually start playing mind games with you, but as I said earlier so far I have been able to find a pretty good balance.

After the game, Lorie and I got a ride back to the hotel, and decided to head back downtown to look for some more souviners. I found some T-shirts for the kids, and some stuff for Sharron. We also went down the the Alexander Keith's Brewery, and Lorie got a sweatshirt for her husband, the tours didn't start until later in the afternoon, so we couldn't go on the tour, but maybe later in the week.

Now just back at the hotel trying to rest up my back and hopefully get it back into shape. Will post again tomorrow.

First two games down

Well we went to the rink a little early, and watched the 2:00 game. It was between Manitoba and Alberta. It was a great game that Alberta ended up winning in overtime. I was then on for BC vs Saskatchewan. It took me a little bit to not over think things, as when I first went out you realize the level of the games etc. After the first couple times down the ice, I just said to myself to skate the game that got me here, and everything else will come. Overall it was a good game. The score was 10 - 5, but the game was closer than that. In the end they wanted us spreading out more, and not staying so close to the play to ensure that we are at the net before the player. This is somewhat counter intuitive as we feel like we are too far ahead of the play, but the game is so fast it is what we need to do. It is a little easier knowing that no matter who you are on the ice with your partner will be there to help, as everyone is strong, so really it comes down to worry about your area, and know that your partner will be there for theirs. We had one official who had to come out of her game due to illness, so hopefully she will be okay for the rest of the week.

After the game we came back and had our meeting. A couple of small changes were needed but generally we are all on the right path. They passed out the assignments and I was on the early game on Sunday, which here only means 9:00, but still the first game of the day. This will be Alberta vs PEI which initial impression is that it could be one sided, be we will see how it goes.

After the meeting we went out to find a place for dinner and after going into a few places that were full (it was the Saturday before Valentine's Day) so we walked back and found a place close to the hotel. Certainly wasn't the best prime rib, but you get what you pay for.

Sunday morning we left for the rink around 7:45 and got ready for the game. We went out and the 1st period wasn't nearly as one sided as we thought it could be. PEI was hanging right in there, Alberta scored late in the 1st to make it 4 - 1 and there were no penalties. Overall it was a very good game. As we went out for the 2nd period we had a couple penalties early in the period, and Alberta got a couple goals in the first 10 minutes of the 2nd period. The last 10 minutes PEI seemed to run out of gas, and Alberta scored a number of goals, but certainly was happy with the game. I felt pretty good on this game as well, and I felt my positioning was better this game.

I was then standby for the 11:30 game between BC and Ontario, another game that historically we would anticipate would be a one sided affair. The game was back and forth through the whole game, and BC went up 4 - 3 (I think) late in the game. With about 30 seconds remaining in the game Ontario tied it up. So we were off to overtime again. About 3 minutes in BC scored the game winner. I am sure this must be considered an upset, but just goes to show that the teams are close here this week and just about anyone has the opportunity to win on any given day.

Just waiting for the last games to finish up and then we will have our meeting for the night, followed by either dinner or the offiicals lounge (which is having an welcome reception) hopefully we will find a way to fit in both.

I got out to pick up some souvineers for my kids, and found 5 Halifax Hoodies that were on sale for $15.75 each, so grabbed them while I saw them. One less thing to worry about for the week.

I likely won't get to post again until sometime tomorrow (depending on when my games are) so will have more then.

The games begin

Well after we arrived yesterday we had our team meeting. I have the late start on day 1, as I have the 4:30 game between BC and Saskatchewan, and don't have a stand by game, which means I can do some walking through downtown Halifax in the morning. Lorie and I are planning on hitting the games store, as the official clothing and especially pins apparently sell out very early in the week. Ringette Canada brought the officials a Canada Games long sleve dry fit shirt which is very nice, and a pair of Canada Games mitts, which was nice of them.

After our meeting we went down to the opening ceremonies. I wasn't sure what to expect, as I have been to a number of National Championships opening ceremonies, but this was certainly a much bigger scale.

There were a number musicians that played (The Trews, Jimmy Rankin, Grand Derangement, and Chantel Kreviazuk who wrote the games official song) all of which were very good. Stephen Harper was there, and gave some inspirational words to the athletes, and about how they are the future athletes who will own the podium at future olympics. Although in his thanks to everyone involved he left out the officials (as so many people do), guess I shouldn't be surprised any more, our job to is to be invisible until needed, I guess this means we are doing a good job.

It was also good to see all the athletes march in, I have some pictures, and some video, but it is all on my phone, and I didn't bring my USB cable with me so will post them when I am home.

There must have been 10,000 people there, and they all had fibre optic red lights that were being waved, which made for a cool effect.

Today the our games begin. Lorie and I went for a walk down towards the athlete village, which is where the games boutique is. I picked up a sweat shirt, hat and toque along with two pins. I figure who knows if I will make it back to another games, I don't want to get home and say, I wish I had something to remember this by. I looked at the kids stuff, but they didn't have too much and really my kids won't care what I bring back for them so will likely pick up some generic Halifax stuff, as it will be cheaper. Although Belle has requested I bring her back pot of gold chocolates, so that will need to be on the list as well. Maybe I can find some stuff after Monday they are looking to sell off for her.

I am looking forward to getting to meet some of the officials for other events, as most are staying at our hotel (really everyone other than the skiing, and snowboard events who are up in Turo). There is supposed to be an officials lounge every evening so that should be a good chance to meet some fellow officials.

Well I am off to get something to eat, and start to get into the right mental frame of mind for game number 1. Don't know if I will post again tonight, or whether it will be tomorrow, as we have the last game, and then will have our nightly meeting, so may not have the chance, but will see how it goes.

Arrived safely in Halifax

Well we have made it safely to Halifax, the flight was very smooth, almost no turbulance, and much quicker than I thought it was going to be. The landing seemed like we were coming in pretty fast, but they got us stopped before the end of the runway, I guess that is all that matters. We got checked into the Lord Nelson hotel. It apears to be very nice, with a lot in the general area, so it should be good for the week.

All of the officials have made it in (with their luggage) so we will be all set for the games that start tomorrow morning at 9:00. We have our first meeting as a crew at 4:30 local time, and will find out our assignements for tomorrow.

We have already checked in with the Canada Games committee, and got our accreditation, and any who didn't provide a picture to the web interface went off to another location to get their picture taken. Being the rule follower that I am, I sent in my picture, so everything was waiting for me in the lobby of the hotel.

Tonight is the opening ceremonies, and from what people have been saying it is supposed to be a pretty good show, hopefully it lives up to the local hype.

Looking forward to getting on the ice tomorrow, and then the fun begins...

4 days until departure

Well, we leave this Friday. I am working to get everything sorted around at work, and at home before I go.

I skated in the Richmond Hill tournament this weekend, and felt pretty good. I had 3 Belle AA games (or U19 AA for those that don't like me using the old names), 1 NRL and one Junior A on Saturday and one Belle AA on Sunday.

Overall I felt good on the games, the Richmond Hill NRL team let me get a copy of the game so I can watch myself and see where I feel I can improve my game(not sure if they were making a passive statement about my officiating or not). Haven't had a chance to watch it yet, but given how difficult it is to get feedback from evaluators on NRL games (given they are so spread out, and not large number of games at tournaments any more) hopefully seeing myself will enable me to at least see what I am doing. One of the toughest things in improving yourself, is not really knowing what you are doing on the ice. Hopefully video will help in that. I am always looking to improve my game, so always looking for ways to do it.

I did realize how much the game has changed in the last few years, as it wasn't that long ago that I would skate 7 games in a day at a tournament and not think anything of it, now when I saw 5 games on my schedule, 4 of which had 20 minute periods, I was wondering if the RIC was trying to kill me. The game is so much faster since the shot clock has come in, it really makes a huge difference in the number of games you can skate in a day. Of course, maybe I am just getting older and more out of shape, or maybe it is a combination of both...

Flight leaves at 9:45 Friday morning so we are down to less than 4 days until we are off. Should be a good time, hopefully we don't get any of the winter weather that the maritimes have seen this winter, as February in Halifax can be hit or miss. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

Exhibition game leading up to CWG's

I was scheduled for an exhibition game between Ontario's CWG's team and the Whitby NRL team on Saturday. I had figured this would be a good lead up to the games that start two weeks from now. Unfortunately, for whatever reason to say this game was lacking the intensity I expected would be an understatement. I got there 45 minutes before game time, and some of the players were just getting there. I went through my regular pregame stuff, and grabbed a bite to eat (as with a 12:15 - 2:15 game it makes it tough to eat before leaving home and tough to wait until after). I started to get ready for the game, and Janyce asked what our period lengths were going to be. I wasn't sure, but decided to find out. I went to find the Whitby manager, and in doing so, saw all the players still sitting in the lobby chatting 15 minutes before game time. This was a little odd, as normally they start getting ready about 30 minutes before the game. So I went back to let Janyce know that we were going to play three 20 minute periods and if it was tied we would have an shootout (which is what the NRL does if games are tied after regulation).

We get out on the ice, and I see right away that about half of the Whitby team are call ups from the Junior AA's. Apparently between exams, illness and injury they were missing a lot of players. Of their 12 skaters 5 were from the junior AA team.

As the game got going, we realized quite quickly that neither team was pushing very hard. There was laughing and joking between players that know each other. And the speed and desire just wasn't there.

It wasn't a great skate/warm up for the games, but as much as I would have liked the warm up, it didn't hurt my feelings too much, as Wednesday night I had broken a rib reffing a hockey game. Not a great thing two and a half weeks before leaving for Halifax, but thankfully it is the 12th rib (at the bottom) so it doesn't hurt too much from simple breathing. However during the game I realized that the transitions from front to back in skating, cause me to twist right at that rib, so had to do that cautiously. Hopefully it improves greatly in the next 2 weeks.